There are a lot of changes happening within the child welfare system in Kentucky due to recent state policy changes, agency commitments from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and both state and federal funding that will have a profound impact on how our child welfare system functions and supports Kentucky children and families. The Cabinet has begun work on implementing House Bill 1, along with other needed reforms to transform the way our [...]

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 *122 Louisville, KY – New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that Kentucky continues to have the highest rate in the nation of children in the care of relatives. In 2016-2018, nine percent of Kentucky children were being raised by a relative, which is more than double the national rate of four percent. “When Kentucky children cannot remain safely with their parents – due to parental substance abuse or incarceration, military [...]

Family is important. When a member of the family is going through a hard time, the rest of the family shares in that struggle, and when the family experiences successes, the rest of the family can revel in that joy as well. In light of the rise in substance use disorders both nationally and especially here in Kentucky, many families are facing more of those low times and, unfortunately the children in those families also [...]

Originally featured on the Kosair Charities Face It Movement blog. By Tina Agonva In 2008, I became a young parent raising a newborn. It was not easy. Kentucky has 57,000 children who are living with a parent who is between 18 and 24 years old, according to the latest policy report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Opening Doors for Young Parents. At 81%, our state ranks second in the nation for the percentage of children of [...]

There are 50,000 Kentucky young adult parents facing a unique set of challenges and opportunities to help their families thrive, according to the latest KIDS COUNT® policy report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Opening Doors for Young Parents. With the right support, all parents — regardless of their age, income, or education — can create a stable environment for their children while also adding to a stronger Kentucky workforce. The report in many ways confirms [...]

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org 502-895-8167 *122 New Report Focuses on Building Opportunities for Kentucky’s Young Adult Parents and Their Children to Thrive Louisville, KY – There are 50,000 Kentucky young adult parents facing a unique set of challenges and opportunities to help their families thrive, according to the latest KIDS COUNT® policy report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Opening Doors for Young Parents. With the right support, all parents — regardless of their age, income, or education [...]

Did you know today is Constitution Day? On September 17th of 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the United States Constitution in Philadelphia. Most Americans know that this document established the framework of our government and the rights and freedoms that “We the People” enjoy today. A lesser known fact is that the Constitution requires the decennial census that we’ve been blogging about for the past few months. In fact, Article 1, Section [...]

Hundreds of youth and adults attended Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol in 2018, and we need you to help pack the rotunda and ask elected officials to prioritize kids in 2019. Join us on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 for the 15th annual Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol! Register here. Children’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol began in 2004 as an effort to unite advocates from across the state to raise their voices on behalf of children’s [...]

Every year, the first Sunday after Labor Day, the United States recognizes and celebrates grandparents. Grandparents are important members of our families as they are the keepers of our family history, provide insight and advice on life’s milestones, and help keep family connected. In Kentucky, there are tens of thousands of grandparents who have also stepped up to raise their grandchildren. There are several reasons for grandparents to raise their grandchildren, including parental death, parental substance abuse, military [...]

Photo provided by the Annie E. Casey Foundation Last month, we blogged on the various ways the data from the decennial census are used and why it is therefore critically important to make sure everyone in Kentucky is counted in the #2020Census. Spring of 2020 may feel far away, but it takes a lot of planning to achieve an accurate count – planning that can’t start soon enough! The single best action [...]